Multiple packaging apparatus



May 26, 1964 T. L. BONKOWSKI ETAL MULTIPLE PACKAGING APPARATUS 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 16, 1961 ArraRA Eg.

INVENTORfi 1 50;. .L. Baukawsm, ym/l T @492 y 26, 1954 T. L. BONKOWSKIETAL 3,

MULTIPLE PACKAGING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 16, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 5cm..5. Ba/vkawsm, ykml 1 CUFPQy,

Iwsnrrakg lrromvsg United States Patent "ce Willis Filed Jan. 16, 1961,Ser. No. 82,958 8 Claims. ((31. 296-65) The present invention relatesgenerally to the packaging field, and more particularly to a fastenerfor removably holding a number of cylindrical cans or containers havingbeaded ends together in a desired assemblage to facilitate handlingthereof as an integral unit.

In recent years cylindrical cans and containers having circumferentiallyextending beaded ends have come into widespread use in the merchandisingof liquid products such as beer, fruit juice, carbonated soft drinkbeverages, and the like. Also, the use of such containers in themerchandising of both solid and liquid food products has increasedenormously. However, while such containers are highly desirable from amerchandising standpoint, in that they occupy but little more space thanthe contents thereof and are individually easy to handle and open, theyhave one disadvantage, for a number of such containers are difiicult tocarry from place to place in a compact manner.

In an effort to overcome this disadvantage, breweries and manufacturersof soft drink beverages have evolved numerous multi-pack holders thatremovably confine such containers in a predetermined arrangement. Thesemultiple pack holders normally embody folded cardboard sheets whichembrace a predetermined quantity of cans,

and are provided With carrying handles.

However, such carrying means have a number of major disadvantages. Thecardboard holders are relatively expensive, they make a package that isconsiderably more bulky than if the containers were packed closelytogether, and the cardboard is heavy and unduly increases the weight ofthe can or container assembly. Also, due to the heat insulatingcharacteristics of cardboard, it is well known that it takes aconsiderably longer time to lower the temperature of the contents ofcontainers in a cardboard holder than it does when the containers aredirectly exposed to refrigerated air.

A major object of the invention is to supply a holding device forcylindrical containers or cans having beaded ends whereby the containersare supported in parallel relationship relative to the side Wallsthereof, spaced apart from one another, with the containers beingoriented in a desired lateral and longitudinal arrangement.

Another object of the invention is to furnish a holding device in whichthe containers are completely supported by the top and bottom portionsthereof, or by the top portions alone, in a manner to permit thelithography or labels thereon to be clearly visible. 1

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a holding device forcylindrical containers that is simple in construction, inexpensive tomanufacture, and has the advantage over cardboard cartons in that itprovides a lighter, more compact package, and one in which the contentsof the containers are more readily cooled to a desired temperature.

A further object of the invention is to supply container or bottleholders that are particularly adapted for fabrication from polymerizedresin, resin-covered or impregnated paper, cardboard or other fibrousmaterial, as well as such lightweight metals as aluminum or alloysthereof.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent from the following description of a preferred and alternateforms thereof, and from the accompanying drawings illustarting thoseforms in which:

Patented May 26, 1964 FIGURE 1 illustrates a top plan view of apreferred form of the invention holding six beaded cans together in adesired arrangement;

FIGURE 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the preferred form of theinvention taken on line 2-2 of FIG- URE 1, illustrating the manner inwhich two of the holding devices can be used to retain a number of cansin fixed spaced relationship;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the preferred form of the invention;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of the preferredform of the invention showing the manner in which it removably engagesthe bead of a can stacked thereabove;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the first alternate form of theinvention engaging a can;

FIGURE 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the first alternate formof the invention taken on line 66 of FIG- URE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a top plan view of a second alternate form of the invention;

FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the second alternateform of the holder taken on line 8-8 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of a third alternate form of theinvention;

FIGURE 10 is a top plan view of the third alternate form of theinvention;

FIGURE 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the third alternate formof the holding device taken on line 11i1 of FIGURE 10; and FIGURE 12 isa vertical cross-sectional view of the third alternate form of theinvention taken on line 12-12 of FIGURE 10.

With continuing reference to the drawings for the general arrangement ofthe preferred form of the invention, it will be seen in FIGURES 1, 2 and3 to include a web A that is at least partially disposed between twocylindrical cans or containers B which are in parallel, diametricallyaligned relationship. Each container B has circumferential beads Cextending around the end portions thereof.

Each bead C includes four circumferential surfaces H, F, G, and D. Thefourth circumferential surface D projects outwardly from a cylindricalside wall E forming a part of container B. A second circumferentialsurface F extends upwardly from said fourth surface D to merge into athird surface G. A first circumferential surface H extendslongitudinally from third surface G to merge into an end member I ofcontainer B.

The web A has at least two laterally spaced extensions A-1 in the formof walls projecting upwardly and outwardly therefrom. Each extension A-1has a transversely disposed slot L-1 formed therein that extendspartially thereacross and serves to define an outer first wall portionM-l. Portion M-1 is laterally supported relative to web A by twooutwardly projecting sections N-l of extensions A-l that are situated atopposite ends of slots L-1.

Web A and extensions A-l are fabricated as an integral unit from aresilient sheet material by molding, vacuumforming, or otherconventional fabrication means. From experience it has been foundpreferable to use a nonmetallic material such as one of the commerciallyavailable polymerized resins in the fabrication of web A and extensionsA-1. A blend of polymerized high impact styrene and polymerized styrenehas been found to be quite satisfactory for this purpose. One blendhaving the desired strength and resiliency is twenty-five percent (25%)high impact styrene and seventy-five percent polymerized styrene. Due tothe resiliency of the material defining the extensions A-i, the firstwall portions description of the structure thereof will be made. sameidentifying letters used in designating components of extensions A-lhave been employed inconjunction with extensions A-2, but to which theindicia M1 may be pivotally moved, within limits, relative to Web A.When the preferred form of the invention is moved toward twodiametrically aligned containers B, secends of edges and 12. When thebody is not deformed or when in unassembled position, the slot isobviously narrower than the distance between the surfaces D and G. If itwere not narrower, the body would not hold the bead of the can. After asection of a bead C has been forced through one of the slots L-I, thefourth surface D is removably engaged by second engaging means 12 andfirst surface H by first engaging means 10, as may best be seen inFIGURE 2.

Tabs P-l' are provided that are integrally formed as part of the firstwall portions M4. Tabs P1 are preferably flat and extend upwardly but ashort distance above beads C so as to not interfere with the stacking ofcontainers B one upon the other. Tabs P-l are used in disengaging thecontainers B from their gripped position in the invention. When it isdesired to disengage a container B, the tab P-I most adjacent thereto ispivoted to a limited degree. This pivotal movement must be sufiicient towiden slot L-1 to the extent that as a container B is moved outwardlyand away from the holder, the fourth surface D is moved out ofengagement with second edge 12. The container B is then moved parallelto the container remaining in the holder, in a direction to cause thefirst edge 10 to slide out of contact with second surface H. Thereafter,the container B so moved is free of the holder.

The preferred form of the invention, as shown to the left in FIGURE 1,can also be used to removably hold two additional containers C. In orderto hold these additional two containers, two extensions A-2 are providedthat are identical in construction to extensions A-l.

Extensions A-2 are disposed between extensions A 1,

and preferably normal relative thereto. Inasmuch as extensions A-2 areidentical to extensions A'1, no detailed The has been added. 7

Extensions A-1 and A-2 are joined by projecting portions Q, as may beseen in FIGURE 1, that extend outwardly from web A and are integrallyformed therewith. An opening R may be formed in web A if desired, whichis of such cross section that the users finger (not shown) maybe-projected therethrough to support the preferred form of the inventionand containers B depending therefrom.

To permit the containers B fastened together at the top by the preferredform of the holder to be stacked one atop the other, arcuate ribs S areformed on the upper side of projecting portions Q, and arcuate ribs Tare formed first surfacesH of the lower group of containers B, as

shown in FIGURE 4. Due to the ribs S and T, the upper and lower groupsof containers B are interlockingly con- ;nected to prevent lateralmovement therebetween.

A dimensionally stable package or assembly of containers B may beprovided byusing two of the preferred forms of the invention as shown inFIGURE 2, with one of theholders removably engaging the upper beads C ofcontainers B, and another-of the holders engaging the lower beads of thecontainers. By use of two of the preferred forms of the invention,containers are removably but rigidly held in fixed lateral relationship.

A first alternate form of the invention is shown in I perspective inFIGURE 5, and in section in FIGURE 6. 7

tainers.

This first alternate form of the holder includes a web 16 that ispreferably square and has four wall-like extensions 1S projectingupwardly therefrom. Extensions l8 merge on their upper ends into acontinuous flange 20 that preferably has at least a portion thereofparallel to the web 16. Four slots 22 are formed in extensions 18.

Each slot 22 is defined by a first edge or engaging means 24, a secondedge or engaging means 26, and connecting end edges 28. A member 38projects downwardly from first edge 24. I When a bead C of a containerB'is forced through one of the slots 22, the second edge 26 engages thefourth surface D and the member 30 the first surface H, as best shown inFIGURE 5. Thus, four containers B can be removably fastened together byuse of the first alternate form of the invention. Four arcuate ribs 32project upwardly from flange 2t and are adapted to removably engagebeads C of an upper assembly of con- Although the containers B are notshown in FIGURES l and 2 as having quadrants of the beads C in contactwith one another, this result is easily achieved, if desired, by makingthe preferred and first alternate forms of the holder in smallerdimension, or by using containers B or larger transverse cross section.

A second alternate form of the invention is shown in FIGURES 7 and 8,which like the preferred and first alternate forms of the device ispreferably formedas an integral unit from a suitable resilient material.A

The second alternate form of holding device is adapted to concurrentlysupport six containers B, and includes an I elongate web 34 that iscentrally disposed on thesix conv tainers B and extends substantiallythe length thereof when assembled in the manner shown in FIGURE 7. Web34 preferably has two longitudinally spaced, downwardly extendingportions 36 that are of identical construction. Each portion 36 isdefined by four downwardly projecting web extensions 38 which preferablymerge at their bottom edges in a sheet-like member 39 that is parallelto web 34. Each web extension 38 has a transverse slot 40 formed thereinthat defines an upper wall portion 42 situated above the slot 40. Eachslot 40 is partially defined by an edge 44 situated below the wallportion 42.

When a section of one of the beads C is forcedthrough one of the slots40, the edge 44 engages the fourth surface D and that part of wallportion 42 most adjacent the slot engages the first surface H. Wallportions 42 are preferably provided with tabs 46 which project outwardlytherefrom. Tabs 46 are used to pivot the wall portions 42 relative toweb 34 to permit the containers B to be easily disengaged fiom thesecond alternate form of the invention. Tabs 46 are used in the samemanner as tabs P,1 of the preferred form of the invention.

A third alternate form of the holding device is shown in FIGURES 9, 10,11 and 12, that is similar in structure to the second alternate form.structurally, the third alternate form of the invention differs from thesecond alternate form in that the upper beads C of containers B arecompletely enveloped when removably held together thereby.

The third alternate form of the holder includes an elongate web 60having two longitudinally spaced identical recessed portions 62 formedtherein. Each recessed portion is defined by four walls 64, the loweredges of which merge into a member 66 of sheet-like configuration thatis preferably parallel to the web 60. Each wall64 has a slot 68 formedtherein that extends partially thereacross. Each slot 68 so divides thewall 64 in which it is formed as to provide a portion 72 having a firstedge 74 In FIG- URES 10 and 11 it will be seen that each slot 68 ispartially defined by a second edge'74 oppositely disposed from firstedge 70. When a section of a bead C is forced through one of the slots68, the fourth surface D of the bead is removably engaged by second edge74, and the first surface H of the bead by the first edge 70.

To further assure that the containers B will be rigidly but removablyheld in the third alternate form of the invention and not move laterallyrelative to one another when carried therein, a continuous invertedL-shaped flange 76 extends from opposite ends of the web 60, and iscurved to conform to the configuration of the outer portions of thebeads C of the containers B held together as an assembled unit.

The ends of the web 34 have lugs 48, downwardly extending flanges (notshown), or other means for removably engaging fourth surfaces D formedas a part thereof, as shown in FIGURE 7. Web 34 is preferably formedwith two longitudinally spaced first fingers 50 that project outwardlyfrom one side thereof, and two identical second fingers 50 which projectoutwardly from the opposite side that are in transverse alignment withthe first two fingers. Each finger 50 is formed with two arcuate,longitudinally extending sides 51 that overlie portions of the beads Cof the containers B held together as an assembly in the second alternateform of the invention.

Each finger 50 has two downwardly extending lugs 53 on opposite sides ofthe outer portion thereof which removably engage the fourth surfaces Dof containers B. Fingers 50 are only desirable if the containers B areof such transverse cross section that they are spaced from one anotherwhen removably held in the second alternate form of the invention. Ifthe containers B are of such transverse cross section that the beads Cthereof are in contact at quadrant points, the fingers 50 as Well as thelugs 48 may be eliminated.

When the second alternate form of the invention is used to removablyhold six containers B together that are in contact at quadrant points ontheir beads C, those portions of the second alternate form of theinvention outwardly from the six lines 52 shown in FIGURE 7 may beeliminated therefrom.

The flange 76 includes a downwardly extending wall 78 in which a numberof longitudinally spaced slots 80 are formed. Slots 80 serve to dividethe wall 78 to provide a number of portions 82 that have first edges 84.Slots 80 are partially defined by second edges 86 oppositely disposedfrom first edges 84. Four fingers 87 project outwardly from web 60, twoon each side thereof, to merge at their outer ends in flange 76. Whenthe beads C are forced into the slots 68, they are concurrently forcedthrough the slots 80. Those sections of the beads C extending throughslots 68 have the fourth surfaces D thereof removably engaged by thesecond edges 86. When the containers B are so held, the first surfaces Hof the beads C are contacted by the first edges 84.

Should it be desired to further strengthen the structure of the thirdalternate form of the invention, flat sheet-like reinforcing members 88may be provided that extend from the lower edges of wall 78.

The third alternate form of the invention is conveniently carried,together with the containers B depending therefrom, by the use of twoopenings 90 formed in the members 66. The thumb and forefinger (notshown) of a user may be projected through the openings 90 to support thethird alternate form of the holding device therefrom. Six upwardlyextending circular ribs 92 are formed on the upper portion of the thirdalternate form of the invention which are adapted to removably engagethe beads C of containers B stacked thereabove. Such engagement preventslateral movement of assembled containers B held together by the thirdalternate form of the invention when stacked one above the other. Thethird form of the invention, like the forms previously describedhereinabove, is formed as an integral unit from a resilient material,preferably a polymerized resin. The use of polymerized resins in thefabrication of the various forms of the invention described hereinprovides the advantages that it is not adversely afiected by exposure toa cold, damp atmosphere for a prolonged period of time, and can bebrightly colored to readily 6 indicate to a purchaser that assembledcontainer units in a stack thereof are removably held together, and areto be purchased as units.

Although the present invention is fully capable of achieving the objectsand providing the advantages hereinbefore mentioned it is to beunderstood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferredembodiments thereof and we do not mean to be limited to the details ofconstruction herein shown and described, other than as defined in theappended claims.

We claim:

1. A package including a plurality of cans, a device for removablyholding the plurality of cans together in a predetermined relationshipafter said device has been moved downwardly relative to said cans whenin said relationship, which cans define a partially closed openingtherebetween, with each of said cans including a side wall having acircumferentially extending bead on the upper end portion thereof, eachof which beads is defined by first and second radially spaced,longitudinally extending cylindrical surfaces, with said first andsecond surfaces merging at their upper extremities into a third surface,and said second surface terminating on the lower end thereof in a fourthsurface that is disposed outwardly from said side Wall, which devicecomprises:

a body molded of a resilient polymerized resin material defining aplurality of first engaging means disposed in contact with said firstsurfaces, a plurality of second engaging means that slide along saidsecond surface during assembly and finally snap into engagement withsaid fourth surfaces, each first and second engaging means cooperativelyforming an elongated slot therebetween that is narrower in width thanthe distance between said third and fourth surfaces when said body isnot deformed, each slot being so disposed that it is overlying a part ofone of said third surfaces when said cans are in said relationship, eachfirst engaging means being deformed to exert forces directed outwardlywith respect to each can when said body is forcefully moved downwardlyrelative to said cans, and said second engaging means as said body is somoved being first deformed laterally away from said first engaging meansto slide downwardly over said second surface, with each of said secondengaging means moving laterally toward its respective first engagingmeans after said second engaging means has moved below said fourthsurface to a position where the bead of the can is resiliently retainedbetween said first and second engaging means and at least a portion ofsaid second means is disposed under each fourth surface to removablyhold said cans together and support said cans in a depending positionfrom said body, with any one of said cans being separable from said bodydue to the resiliency of said material defining the same when said canis pivoted upwardly and outwardly about its body engaging bead portionto a position where, when an outward pull is exerted on said can, saidfirst and second engaging means slide on said first and second surfacesand said can separates from said body.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said body includes:

(a) a central portion;

(b) a plurality of walls extending upwardly and out wardly from saidcentral portion; and

(c) a continuous flange that connects the upper ends of said walls, withthe parts of said walls directly above said slots being said firstengaging means, and the parts of said wall directly below said slotsbeing said second engaging means.

3. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said body further includes:

a plurality of tabs that project outwardly from said first engagingmeans, with each of said tabs when pivoted upwardly and inwardlyrelative to said body moving said first engaging means with which it isassociated away from one of said second engaging means to facilitate theremoval of a particular one of said cans from said device.

4. A device as defined'in claim 2 which further includes:

a plurality of spaced ribs that project upwardly from said flange andare adapted to slidably contact the first surfaces of additional cansstacked above said cans held by said device to prevent lateral movementof said stacked cans.

5. A device as defined in claim 2 whereinthe walls have the form of: i V

a plurality of fingers extending outwardly from said flange, with eachof said fingers overlying a space between two of said cans.

6. A device as defined in claim 2 wherein said parts of said wallsdirectly above said slots have curved lower edges that are ofsubstantially the same radius of curvature as that of said firstsurfaces.

7. A device as'defined in claim 2 wherein said parts of said wallsdirectly under slots have convex upper edges that are of substantiallythe same radius of curvature V as that of said beads.

8. A device as defined in claim 5 which further includes:

a plurality of, arcuate extensions that connect-theoutwardly disposedends of said fingers to reinforce the same.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,135,341 Jackson Nov; 1, 1938 2,838,818 Brennan -1. June 17, 19582,874,835 Poupitch Feb. 24, 1959 2,876,896 Ziehmer Mar. 10, 19592,894,622 7 Poupitch July 14, "1959 2,923,405 Poupitch Feb. 2,19602,923,406 Poupitch Feb. 2, 1960 2,936,070 Poupitch May 10, 1960,2,949,183 Fisher Aug. 16, 1960 3,002,612 Poupitch Oct. 3,1961

1. A PACKAGE INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF CANS, A DEVICE FOR REMOVABLYHOLDING THE PLURALITY OF CANS TOGETHER IN A PREDETERMINED RELATIONSHIPAFTER SAID DEVICE HAS BEEN MOVED DOWNWARDLY RELATIVE TO SAID CANS WHENIN SAID RELATIONSHIP, WHICH CANS DEFINE A PARTIALLY CLOSED OPENINGTHEREBETWEEN, WITH EACH OF SAID CANS INCLUDING A SIDE WALL HAVING ACIRCUMFERENTIALLY EXTENDING BEAD ON THE UPPER END PORTION THEREOF, EACHOF WHICH BEADS IS DEFINED BY FIRST AND SECOND RADIALLY SPACED,LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING CYLINDRICAL SURFACES, WITH SAID FIRST ANDSECOND SURFACES MERGING AT THEIR UPPER EXTREMITIES INTO A THIRD SURFACE,AND SAID SECOND SURFACE TERMINATING ON THE LOWER END THEREOF IN A FOURTHSURFACE THAT IS DISPOSED OUTWARDLY FROM SAID SIDE WALL, WHICH DEVICECOMPRISES: A BODY MOLDED OF A RESILIENT POLYMERIZED RESIN MATERIALDEFINING A PLURALITY OF FIRST ENGAGING MEANS DISPOSED IN CONTACT WITHSAID FIRST SURFACES, A PLURALITY OF SECOND ENGAGING MEANS THAT SLIDEALONG SAID SECOND SURFACE DURING ASSEMBLY AND FINALLY SNAP INTOENGAGEMENT WITH SAID FOURTH SURFACES, EACH FIRST AND SECOND ENGAGINGMEANS COOPERATIVELY FORMING AN ELONGATED SLOT THEREBETWEEN THAT ISNARROWER IN WIDTH THAN THE DISTANCE BETWEEN SAID THIRD AND FOURTHSURFACES WHEN SAID BODY IS NOT DEFORMED, EACH SLOT BEING SO DISPOSEDTHAT IT IS OVERLYING A PART OF ONE OF SAID THIRD SURFACES WHEN SAID CANSARE IN SAID RELATIONSHIP, EACH FIRST ENGAGING MEANS BEING DEFORMED TOEXERT FORCES DIRECTED OUTWARDLY WITH RESPECT TO EACH CAN WHEN SAID BODYIS FORCEFULLY MOVED DOWNWARDLY RELATIVE TO SAID CANS, AND SAID SECONDENGAGING MEANS AS SAID BODY IS SO MOVED BEING FIRST DEFORMED LATERALLYAWAY FROM SAID FIRST ENGAGING MEANS TO SLIDE DOWNWARDLY OVER SAID SECONDSURFACE, WITH EACH OF SAID SECOND ENGAGING MEANS MOVING LATERALLY TOWARDITS RESPECTIVE FIRST ENGAGING MEANS AFTER SAID SECOND ENGAGING MEANS HASMOVED BELOW SAID FOURTH SURFACE TO A POSITION WHERE THE BEAD OF THE CANIS RESILIENTLY RETAINED BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND ENGAGING MEANS ANDAT LEAST A PORTION OF SAID SECOND MEANS IS DISPOSED UNDER EACH FOURTHSURFACE TO REMOVABLY HOLD SAID CANS TOGETHER AND SUPPORT SAID CANS IN ADEPENDING POSITION FROM SAID BODY, WITH ANY ONE OF SAID CANS BEINGSEPARABLE FROM SAID BODY DUE TO THE RESILIENCY OF SAID MATERIAL DEFININGTHE SAME WHEN SAID CAN IS PIVOTED UPWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY ABOUT ITS BODYENGAGING BEAD PORTION TO A POSITION WHERE, WHEN AN OUTWARD PULL ISEXERTED ON SAID CAN, SAID FIRST AND SECOND ENGAGING MEANS SLIDE ON SAIDFIRST AND SECOND SURFACES AND SAID CAN SEPARATES FROM SAID BODY.